He told us that, in the event of an active shooter incident, the best course of action for the individual's survival is to run. Get out of the building. Get out of the area. Because those who hide get killed. Don't hide, run!

If you decide to fight the bad guy, consider your competence and chaos:Competence -- He gave the example of persons driving their cars in a snow storm on icy roads. The average drive (who learned to drive from his parents) driving a rear-wheel drive economy car might end up off the road in a ditch. Whereas, the highly trained driver (military, police,or private driving school) driving an all-wheel drive sedan, might have no problem getting where she's going. Do you know that you can operate in a high stress situation while injured, distinguish between good guys and bad gals with insufficient information, move quickly while injured, apply accurate fire to moving targets at varying distances while moving yourself, and while getting shot at? Do you know that your equipment will function under adverse conditions (or does your pistol malfunction every so often on the range)? If not, you might consider running away. Because getting yourself killed isn't going to help anyone. While on the other hand, being a good witness, giving the police accurate timely information on which they can operate would be great for everyone.Chaos -- Consider that when the law enforcement officers arrive on the scene the situation will be chaotic.The officers will have insufficient information and possibly false information (because when people panic, they misinterpret observations, so the witness reports are often wrong). This means there is a real danger that you will be shot by responding officers because you are holding a pistol. The LEOs are not going to have time to interview you before deciding whether or not to shoot you. Once, you have incapacitated the bad guy and determined that there are no other bad guys, you need to separate yourself from your pistol and and show that your hands are empty to avoid getting shot by responding officers.

Since the Columbine incident, law enforcement officers in our country are taught ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training).The protocol for an active shooter incident used to be to secure the perimeter and call for tactical support.But, too many people died at Columbine. So, ALERRT training says, whoever is there should immediately counter attack. [Sounds like what we learned in the Marine Corps, immediately counter attack any attack.] This is of course, much more dangerous for the responding officer. So, don't put yourself in a position to get shot. Don't force the officer to shoot you.

Always carry a spare magazine, because you willneed it to clear malfunctions. If you're part of a security team for your church,make sure you know who else is armed in the congregation.

On the Unlikelihood of Slaying Monsters......and, yet, the reasons monsters must be slain...http://michaelbane.blogspot.com/ I remember the story ... For lack of a nail, a shoe was lost.For lack of a shoe, a horse was lost.For lack of a horse, a cavalry man was lost.For lack of a cavalry man, a battle was lost.For lack of a battle, a war was lost.For lack of a nail, ... a war was lost.(I first read this in Latin class in 7th or 8th grade.) This is why the Marine Corps teaches attention to detail. Yes, you can turn the tide of battle.Yes, what you do does matter.

Friday, November 13, 2015

"Jennifer, a Deputy in Orlando, FL got shot 10 times. She shot and killed the two men who were shooting her (only fair). She was back on the job a year later."-- Col. Dave Grossman The Colonel was making the point that getting shot need not stop you from doing.It is fairly common not to know that you got shot. That is why we teach our students to examine themselves and others for injuries after an incident. The adrenaline (epinephrine) in your blood stream and other things may prevent your awareness of the pain and burningsensation.

"I was talking to a Navy Seal. I said, you're not very big. The Sailor said, not many of us are, we're just trained."-- Jimmy Meeks The pastor was making the point that training is essential. What differentiates sheepdogs from sheep is training. Many sheep are willing to fight to protect others, (as any parent would protect their child) but they are not competent to do so. So, they lack the confidence, so they don't fight. Or, they do and get themselves killed. Which doesn't help anyone.

What I leaned from the webinar -- At church, lock all back doors. Force everyone to come through the front doors. This allows the sheepdogs to check out everyone entering the building and it ensures everyone entering knows that the sheepdogs are checking them out.This prevents criminals from sneaking in without being seen to commit crimes and escape without being seen. While everyone else is closing their eyes and bowing their heads to pray, the sheepdogs must pray with their eyes open and looking around. Gideon chose his soldiers by how they drank water at the lake. Those who brought the water up to their mouth while looking around to the horizon, Gideon chose. Those who put their face down to the water and so could not see the horizon, Gideon sent home. Minister Meeks reported that two pastors had recently been shot while praying. We must adapt to reality and prevent this from happening. I have been trained since birth to close my eyes and bow my head when praying. I will have difficulty breaking this habit. All of life is intentionally breaking habits and intentionally forming new habits.

***** Training *****

Incompetent people get themselves killed when they try to defend others. Which doesn't help anyone. Yes, training takes time and commitment. Marine Corps Recruit Training takes
three months (full time, including weekends).Training is not cheap. Training requires sacrifice. Anything worthwhile in life requires sacrifice. Decide to get training. Get training.And then, practice. Combat skills are perishable skills. You must practice.